NMMA says industry could feel effects of shutdown

Posted on October 1st, 2013

The National Marine Manufacturers Association says the government shutdown could have a substantial impact on the recreational boating community since it will result in the closing of all national parks and likely the loss of boating access to lakes run by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Regulatory work affecting recreational boating at agencies that include the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also will be halted, the group said in an email message today.

It is unclear how long the shutdown will last, but the debate in Washington over fiscal spending has come to the brink, the message said. All non-essential government personnel will be furloughed and many government-run services will be halted until the shutdown is resolved.

The Office of Management and Budget estimated that two government shutdowns in 1995 and 1996, totaling 27 days, cost the federal government $1.4 billion. That’s more than $2 billion in today’s dollars on costs such as back pay to furloughed federal workers and uncollected fines and taxes, according to CBS.

The gridlock that occurred when Congress was unable to reach an agreement to authorize spending for the federal government resulted in a complete governmental shutdown today, the NMMA message said. Under the Constitution, Congress must pass laws to spend money. With the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, the government does not have the legal authority to spend beyond today.

Congress in the past weeks has attempted to pass a stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution, to fund the government at current spending levels until a full budget is passed, the message said.

The Republican-controlled House passed a continuing resolution last week that maintained spending levels while not providing funding for the Affordable Care Act, according to the NMMA message. The Democratic Senate refuses to pass a spending bill that attacks the health care law. This stalemate over funding and the health care law has resulted in the current government shutdown.

Comments

The Sky is falling, they sky is falling… Again, Really? We have heard that one before.

NMMA should just up… You donated campaign funds to help liberal politicians get re-elected in 2012, like Senator Bill Nelson in Florida who has never done anything but hurt the boating industry and is an adamant Obamacare and EPA supporter.

Is there one ship yard owner out there that thinks Obamacare, increased EPA regulation and higher fuel cost because we are not drilling on public land is going to be beneficial to our industry? The result of Obamacare and further EPA nonsensical regulations will be that it will drive more boat builders off shore and fuel prices will stay high!

I take issue with the NMMA suggesting that the shutdown will keep boaters off Corps of Engineer lakes. The ramps are still open and the marinas on those lakes are still operating. Shame on the NMMA for fear mongering and misrepresenting the truth.